The Money Saving Expert website reported on 4th September that many Facebook users are being charged for unexpected data play charges. We report on this issue here, so that you can be forearmed and forewarned about the issue – and of course so you can avoid the charges!

What are data play charges?

Facebook recently confirmed that videos embedded into users newsfeeds will automatically play by default. This is the case for Wi-Fi, 3G and 4G connections. To stop this auto-play feature you have to opt out.

How to avoid the charges

The charges occur when users exceed their data limit. This quite easy to do when consuming video content as this is very intensive from a memory perspective.

The way to avoid the charges is quite simple. All you need to do is change your device settings and the videos will not auto-play. This trend is fairly recent and therefore is catching many people out, change your settings to avoid unnecessary charges.

How to turn auto-play off?

The following advice is taken from Money Saving Expert about how to turn the auto=play function off your devices.

Advice taken from the Money Saving expert website

Facebook lack of comment

Facebook are officially not commenting about this auto-play debacle. Their only related comment is to say that users can avoid the charges by changing their configuration settings. Unfortunately this is too late for many people.